International Day of the Seafarer 2026; June 25th.

FORUM: "Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks". International Day of the Seafarer 2026. This year’s Day of the Seafarer campaign highlights the hardship, pressure and risks of life at sea, especially in high‑risk and conflict‑affected areas, while underscoring seafarers’ essential role in keeping global trade moving. Centered on the line “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks”, it stresses that their vital contribution often remains out of sight despite difficult and dangerous conditions. The aim is to recognize their contribution while acknowledging the risks and sacrifices behind it. Follow the conversations with the hashtags:#SeafarerLife, #Dayoftheseafarer, #25june.

EVENTS: On Thursday, June 25th, the World Seafarers and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrate the International Day of the Seafarer 2026 in London, United Kingdom. Today, we join
IMOHQ in recognizing the world’s seafarers. They keep global trade moving, often under immense pressure and in difficult conditions, ensuring essential goods reach communities worldwide. On this #DayOfTheSeafarer, let's recognize their contribution and the risks they carry. Register to participate!

The Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR 13) opened today with a focus on the #DayoftheSeafarer and an agenda covering maritime safety, digital navigation and radiocommunications. Read IMOSecGen full opening speech.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of the Seafarer 2026; June 25th.

Nearly 90 per cent of all goods and commodities – from food to medicine to energy – come to us by sea. It is ships and seafarers that keep the world afloat.

But when nations clash, seafarers are often caught in the crossfire. Recent events in the Strait of Hormuz have seen tens of thousands of seafarers stranded as they work far from home to keep the world fuelled and fed.

This year’s theme – “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks.” – reminds us that mariners must never be the victims or pawns of geopolitical conflict. Governments and industry have a responsibility to support and protect seafarers, by upholding labour standards, respecting international laws, and ensuring sailors everywhere remain safe from harm.

The landbound among us are often “seablind”, unaware of the crucial importance of shipping until a crisis strikes. On this International Day of the Seafarer, let us honour the courage and skills of mariners, and stand with them to weather all storms.

António Guterres.

Full message: Arabic ; Chinese ; French ; English ; Russian ; Spanish

Statement of the IMO Secretary-General on behalf the International Day of the Seafarer 2026; June 25th.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

Arabic, Chinese, French, English, Russian, Spanish.

TAKE ACTION: How you can contribute!

Here's how you can contribute to our 2026 Day of the Seafarer edition:

If you are a seafarer -  Share what “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks.” means to you. Tell us about the realities of life at sea, the challenges you face, or the moments that define your work. Join the conversation using #DayoftheSeafarer

If you work in shipping or the maritime industry - Highlight how your company or organization supports seafarers’ safety, wellbeing and mental health — particularly for those operating in high-risk or conflict-affected areas.

If you are a government, maritime administration, NGO or union - Share the actions, policies or initiatives you are taking to support and protect seafarers working under difficult conditions and in challenging environments.

If you are part of the UN family or an international organization - Share how seafarers connect to your work and why their role is essential to global trade, humanitarian assistance and sustainable development.

For everyone
Join us in recognizing the contribution, resilience and sacrifices of seafarers worldwide. Share your message using #DayoftheSeafarer

Uncrewed maritime systems are changing the tides of maritime warfare, and seafarers face rougher waters. On today's #DayOfTheSeafarer, explore UNIDIR's research entitled "CHANGING TIDES" to learn how the UN Register of Conventional Arms can keep the seas safer for all. 

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Get Access to the digital board, download all the resources and share them on social media!


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The resources are also available in French and Spanish here!

IMO Secretary-General

Available in English, French and Spanish

Available in English, French and Spanish

International Day of the Seafarer 2025; June 25th.

FORUM: "My Harassment-Free Ship." International Day of the Seafarer 2025. It's time to create a Safer Workplace for Seafarers. Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, yet many face bullying, harassment, and discrimination, with studies showing that over 50% of female seafarers and a significant number of male seafarers have experienced harassment at sea that threaten their safety, mental well-being, and career progression. The maritime industry must take decisive action to foster workplaces that are safe, inclusive, and harassment-free. Harassment affects seafarers of all genders and ranks, leading to emotional distress and career setbacks. Many incidents go unreported due to fear of retaliation and lack of trust in reporting systems. Stronger policies, leadership training, and global collaboration are needed to ensure real change.You can contribute by sharing experiences and insights on building a culture of respect at sea; By highlighting best practices and company initiatives that promote inclusivity; By encouraging open discussions and accountability across the industry.We encourage seafarers, industry professionals, and organisations to share their pledge for a harassment-free workplace using the hashtag #MyHarassmentFreeShip, #Dayoftheseafarer, #25june.

EVENTS: On June 25th, the global maritime community comes together to celebrate the International Day of the Seafarer 2025. This year, we launched the campaign 'My Harassment-Free Ship', a bold initiative to promote a culture of respect and zero tolerance for bullying and harassment at sea. The Day of the Seafarer 2025 is more than a celebration—it’s a call for action. 'My Harassment-Free Ship' is about changing the maritime culture to one where every seafarer feels safe, valued, and protected at sea. Let's Build a Future of Respect at Sea. Join us in making every ship a harassment-free workplace. Together, we can create a safer maritime industry. Register to participate!

United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Seafarers 2025 June 25th.


"Seafarers keep global trade flowing – delivering food, medicine, and vital goods around the world. Their work is essential to our lives and economies.

Yet too often, their rights are denied, and their safety is put at risk.

This year, we shine a light on harassment and discrimination faced by many seafarers, including women, young workers and those in isolated or vulnerable conditions.

Zero-tolerance policies and inclusive workplace cultures that support the mental health of seafarers are essential. So, too, is coordinated action – among governments, industry and workers – to uphold labour standards and ensure safe, fair and humane conditions at sea.

On this International Day of the Seafarer, let us commit to a maritime sector anchored in equality, respect and dignity."

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from IMO Secretary-General on the International Day of Seafarers 2025 June 25th.

 "Seafarers form a remarkable global workforce that calls ships their place of work. It is a unique, exciting and demanding environment, one that must be free from violence and harassment. As Secretary General, steering the IMO ship, I know that leadership is vital to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment for all. It is about humility, patience, listening, positivity, respect and professionalism, while also holding people accountable, supporting them whilst demanding their best and having the difficult conversations when necessary. This year's Day of the Seafarers will launch the ‘My Harassment-Free Ship’ campaign, which aims to shine a light on what we can all do to foster a culture of zero tolerance. We will highlight seafarers who have successfully cultivated cultures of respect and accountability on board. We will also amplify the voices of those who have dealt with harassment, learning from their stories and ensuring they are heard. IMO is also doing its part. We have taken a decisive step to amend the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Code, mandating training for all seafarers on preventing and addressing violence and harassment. We are developing interactive platforms to connect seafarers with best practices and support networks from around the globe. No one should feel alone in their struggle. I invite you all to join me in supporting the ‘My Harassment-Free ship’ campaign, foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships where respect, safety and inclusivity are the standard and where every individual working at sea can do so with dignity and security."

Arsenio Dominguez,IMO Secretary-General.

CAMPAIGN :Emphasising the need for industry-wide commitment to eliminating harassment and fostering safer workplaces.

TAKE ACTION !

• Action for the Seafarers: Share your stories and be part of the movement.
• Action for the Shipping Companies: Strengthen policies and onboard training.
• Action for the Maritime Organizations: Support and advocate for seafarers’ rights.

 

This campaign seeks to Raise awareness about the reality of harassment at sea; To Promote proactive industry action to implement zero-tolerance policies; To Encourage reporting and accountability through safe and accessible channels and To Equip seafarers with resources and support to navigate and combat harassment.

A key feature of this year's campaign is the launch of an Interactive World Map, which highlight resources available by flag state to support seafarers in reporting and addressing harassment at sea. This tool provides Vital information on policies, support systems, and reporting mechanisms, empowering seafarers to seek help wherever they are in the world. Click on the map to discover all the resources.

Seafarer Social Media Influencer Videos: This year, we are leveraging the voices of seafarer social media influencers, including experienced maritime vloggers, industry advocates, and crew members with significant online followings from around the world to spread awareness directly to seafarers. Through video messages and social media engagement, seafarers will hear from their peers about the importance of fostering a harassment-free workplace and how they can take part in this movement. These videos will be widely shared across platforms to ensure maximum reach and engagement.

Campaign materials: As in previous years, the campaign will be centred on social media so join us on any of IMO's social media platforms; X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Everyone is invited in using our campaign logo, posters and any available visual branding. Please find our digital board available here.

International Day of the Seafarer 2024; June 25th.

FORUM: "Your top tips for safety at sea." International Day of the Seafarer 2024. This year, we focus on seafarers' contribution in making the maritime sector a safer workplace. To engage seafarers, we want them to share the best safety tips at sea, whether it’s the gear they wear or the training they receive. As part of the campaign, we will highlight how they keep their workplace safe. Grateful for all the amazing support on this celebration. Your participation makes a huge difference. Follow the conversations with the hashtags:#SafetyTipsAtSea, #Dayoftheseafarer, #25june.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of the Seafarer 2024; June 25th.


The Day of the Seafarer is a time to celebrate and recognize the two million people around the world who operate the ships that carry more than 80% of the volume of world trade. Seafarers are vital in ensuring a seamless flow of essential goods that eventually make it into markets, homes, and onto our tables. Without them, the world would not be able to transport the large quantities of commodities that societies require to survive. But their own lives have been put on the line in the face of grave threats. Attacks on international shipping routes and acts of piracy are unacceptable. Ships and seafarers must not be held hostage and hijacked. Seafarers should not be collateral victims in wider geopolitical conflicts. Seafarers from across the globe provide a vital source of income to their families back home, while on long voyages at sea. Let us together salute them for their essential work and support their safety.

United Nations Secretary-General.

EVENTS: On June 25th, the World Seafarers and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrate the International Day of the Seafarer 2024 the under the theme "Your top tips for safety at sea.". During this Day we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving on ships attacked in the Red Sea. Attacks against international shipping can never be justified. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those deceased.

• MV True Confidence – Three lives lost
• MV Tutor – One life lost

CAMPAIGN:  Safety Tips at Sea.
Seafarers spend a great deal of their time on board ships, and this provides many opportunities for them to take pictures of their working environment. To all the seafarers, we are asking you to:

1. Share a picture of yourself in your working environment with your top tip for safety at sea with the hashtag #SafetyTipsAtSea.
2. Be creative, you can share the equipment you use to keep your workplace safe or any special training you received, and tell us how you work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment. Let us know how you keep up with the pace of technological change and innovation to stay safe onboard.

How to get involved:

1. Seafarer organizations – share pictures of how your help seafarers stay safe;
2. Wider public – show your appreciation for the work of seafarers and how their safety at sea is in the interest of all us.

Read press release: Day of the Seafarer spotlights safety at sea.

More about Day of the Seafarer.

International Day of the Seafarer 2023; June 25th.

FORUM: “Seafarer, MARPOL and the Marine environment.” International Day of the Seafarer 2023. The campaign this year will look at seafarers' contribution to protecting the marine environment, in line with the World Maritime theme “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on”. Seafarers spend a great deal of time at sea and are a big part of the solution when it comes to protecting the marine environment. As part of the campaign, we will be asking seafarers to share a picture of the marine environment surrounding them while at sea, and to highlight that the marine environment is worth protecting. Follow the hashtags: #OceansWorthProtecting, #DayOfTheSeafarer, #25june, #MARPOLat50.

EVENTS: A hybrib event to observe the International Day of the Seafarer 2023 will be held at the International Maritime Organization in London, United Kingdom to recognize and celebrate the immense contribution of seafarers to protecting our global marine environment; They truly are at the heart of sustainable ship operations.

STATEMENT: Read the Statement by the IMO Secretary-General on International Day of the Seafarer 2023; June 25th.

International Day of the Seafarer 2022; June 25th.

FORUM: 'Your voyage - then and now, share your journey’ International Day of the Seafarer 2022.

 Every seafarer’s journey is different, but they all face similar challenges. For 2022, the campaign of the Day of the Seafarers, with the theme 'Your voyage - then and now, share your journey’, look at seafarer voyages, what it includes and how has it evolved over time and what remains at the heart of seafarers’ reality.

Every seafarer’s journey is different, but they all face similar challenges. For 2022, the campaign of the Day of the Seafarers, with the theme 'Your voyage - then and now, share your journey’, look at seafarer voyages, what it includes and how has it evolved over time and what remains at the heart of seafarers’ reality. This campaign gives seafarers a chance to share what resonates with them currently, whether it's the crew change crisis being unresolved or the future of technology.

Read the  Statement by the IMO Secretary-General on International Day of the Seaferer 2022; June 25th. here

 
                



CAMPAIGN:  Every seafarer’s journey is different, but they all face similar challenges.


Seafarers are invited to post two photos using the hashtags: one of their first voyage and another of their most recent voyage. We would also like to know what has changed during your maritime voyage. Is shipping greener? Is the technology better? Are you more skilled? What have you learnt?


Supportive organizations, shipping companies and port organizations are also invited to show their appreciation for seafarers by resharing their posts or using the hashtags and discussing the importance of seafarer journeys.


Members of the public are encouraged to post about the many ways in which seafarer journeys benefit their lives (e.g. bringing them food, electronics, medicines, etc.) using the same hashtags.

#SeafarerJourney will be the new hashtag for the 2022 campaign. The exisiting hashtag of #DayOfTheSeafarer can also be used.

EVENTS

Day of the Seafarer 2015, June 25

Международный день моряка, 25 июня.
International Day of the Seafarer, June 25.
 Journée internationale des gens de mer, 25 juin.
 Día Internacional de la Gente de Mar, 25 de junio.
年海 员日, 6月25 日.
اليوم العالمي للالبحارة، 25 يونيو

Day of the Seafarer 2015

 Message from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon on the International Day of the Seafarer 2015.

 Since the dawn of history mankind has gone to sea, and today  s eafaring  remains  one of the  world’s  most important professions. About 1.5 million seafarers provide the labour force  that literally keeps the global economy moving  – and we all  benefit from that, whether rich or poor, north or south. But as the  global population grows, so does the demand for  shipping;  an d there are fears that, in the future, there may be a  shortage of seafarers. This is a concern not just for shipping,  but for all of us who rely on seafarers.

On June 25 each year, we celebrate the international Day of the  Seafarer.  A campaign, driven by the International Maritime  Organization, uses the day to draw attention  to  the profession  and the benefits seafarers bring to mankind. This year the focus  is on energising and inspiring a new generation of younger  people to take up se afaring as a career. Seafaring can provide young generations with unique  opportunities .

Not only can they secure decent work and earn a  good living to provide for their families, they can also gain  access to a world of life - enriching travel and experience s that  very few can dream of. Imagine  sailing the world’s oceans,  seeing the northern lights,  experiencing  arctic snow or a tropical  storm for the first time  – and  meeting people from all over the  world while doing so. Then, when his or her sea - going days are over, the seafarer  can draw on skills and  technical expertise acquired in running  today’s modern, high - tech vessels that make them very well  qualified for a rewarding future in many shore - based industries. Seafaring is a particularly attractive option for people in  developing countries. 

But  y oung people need to be engaged  and enthused if they are to see and understand these  opportunities.  And t his is what the 2015 Day of the Seafarer  campaign aims to do. So please, if you are  a  young person seeing this message,  wherever you are, I urge you to consider seafaring as a career;  if you already understand the value of seafaring or are part of  the maritime sector yourself, please share your  passion about  the mariti me world with others, particularly young people , on  this special day . 

And if you are a serving seafarer, today we  salute you, we thank you and we want you to know we  appreciate very much the essential and vital work that you do.

 Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary - General

Message from the IMO Secretary-General on the International Day of the Seafarer 2015.

I am speaking to you today from the  Seamen's Center at Intramuros, Manila , operated by the  Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines , which is the world’s  leading supplier of manpower to the global maritime industry. Every year, on 25 June, we celebrate the international Day of the Seafarer. This year, I want  to speak about how fulfilling and rewarding a  seafaring  career  can be; and I particularly want  to address this mess age to young people, who may now be actively considering the options  open to them.

Seafaring can provide not only an opportunity to earn money to live and provide for  your families, it also offers unique opportunities to navigate the seas of the globe and encounter  the wonders of the ocean.  It offers young people the opportunity to experience a world of  real adventure  on the seas and oceans of our planet , to  interact with people from all over the  world ,  and to  experienc e the huge variety of mankind’s cultu re and heritage. Today, more than ever, seafaring is a job that demands highly trained and qualified  personnel .  Modern ships are designed and built to the highest technical standards and  require crew members with a high level of professional competence .

To  operate them safely  and efficiently is a stimulating job in a truly hi - tech workplace.  But more than that, a successful seafaring career also holds the promise of a rewarding  career  ashore , after retiring from the sea.  There is an immense selection  of  challenging and  rewarding  professions ashore  for which a career at sea provides an excellent background  – such as ship surveying and inspection , maritime pilotage, ship operations management and  many more. On the Day of the Seafarer, I wish to encourage  everybody who is already engaged in this  vital professional world to reach out to a new generation; tell them about your life and your  work; inspire and encourage them to explore for themselves a  career at sea or  elsewhere  in  the maritime industries.

Please, show your support for  our campaign, using the resources available on the  Day of the  Seafarer page on the  IMO website; and if you’re on social media,  don’t forget to share your  experiences using the campaign hashtag #CareeratSea. Together, l et us re ach  out  new  audiences and inspire a new generation of maritime experts and seafarers.

FORUM : International Day of the Seafarer - June 25

Thank you for taking part in the fifth edition of Day of the Seafarer. We are happy to report that the campaign has been a success, reaching millions across the world. More details on the campaign summary will be available shortly.

This year, IMO's Day of the Seafarer campaign aims to inspire young people to consider a career at sea and learn more about this viable and exciting profession.

This year the International Maritime Organization is shifting its focus to maritime education. We want you to consider a career at sea. Most people go to work in offices, factories and shops, but it's a different picture for seafarers: an office can be a hundred thousand-ton oil tanker or a cargo ship navigating the world’s oceans with beautiful landscapes.

The campaign shows how the multi-faceted maritime world offers a series of rich and fulfilling career opportunities for young people, both at sea and ashore.

Below you can read or download our toolkit which tells you how you can join the campaign. Watch our videos and visit our photo wall to upload your picture showing the world what a career at sea looks like.

Also, if you are on social media, you can start to spread the word, share your experiences using the campaign hashtag #CareeratSea.

Learn more about the IMO Maritime Ambassador Scheme, launched by IMO to to promote the maritime and seafaring professions and raise awareness of the positive benefits of choosing a career at sea or other maritime profession.​

IMO | Thank seafarers on 2012 Day of the Seafarer - “it came by sea, I can’t live without it!”

25 June 2012, the international Day of the Seafarer,

Day of the Seafarer 2012 IMO | Thank seafarers on 2012 Day of the Seafarer - “it came by sea, I can’t live without it!”